Shoe arch support



Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,635

' T. H. JOYCE SHOE ARCH SUPPORT Filed July 16. 1926 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 8, 19.22..

tastes THOMAS H. JOYCE, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

snon ARCH SUPPORT.

Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to a shoe and boot arch support.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means in a shoe and boot for maintaining the shank or arch thereof in its normal position, the same including a feature for adjusting the shank or arch from its normal position whenever it is deemed desirable or necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in a shoe or boot of the indicated character which is arranged on the inside of. the shoe or boot and upon which the arch of the foot of the wearer may rest or be supported. The nature of the inventionand its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the improved arch support applied; the support also being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a collective view of the several springs constituting the support.

It is to be understood that the arch sup port of the present invention may be applied to shoes or boots; and in the present instance is shown applied to a shoe. It is further to be understood that the arch support will he of different lengths and widths according to the different sizes ofthe shoes and boots. Each arch supportwill be made of anypreferred number of spring plates according to the strength required to hold up Y the shank of the sole of the shoe, and the arch support as constituted will be of greater rigidity than the shank of the sole.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be apparent that in the em.- bodiment of the invention shown, the arch support 10 is arranged inside of a shoe 11 having the usual sole 12. The sole 12 includes the usual shank 13 betweenthe heel portion and front portion of the sole. The shank 13 raised or arched to a normal or standard elevation. The arch support 10 is secured to and acts on the shank 13 to maintain the same in its normal position, or in other words to prevent the same from sinking down or sagging under pressure or weight from the wearer. In the present instance the support 10 includes three elongated springs in the form of steel plates 14, 15, and 16, one longer than the other in the order designated. Attached to the 1926. Serial No; 122,974.

spring plate 14 centrally thereof is a threaded member 17. cured inany suitable manner such as by brazing. Each of the spring plates 15 and 16 has a longitudinal slot 18 therein. The shank13 has a hole 19 therein for the reception of the threaded member 17 which extends through the slots 18 in the plates 15 and 16 respectively and through the hole 19. A Washer 20 is arranged on the pro- 'ecting end of the threaded member 17, and a nut 21 is threaded on the free end of the threaded member.

Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the opposite ends of the support 10 contact the sole 12 at points which are unyieldable, and due to the fact that the support 10 is normally bowed, and the further fact that it has less flexibility than the shank 13, by screwing up on the nut 21 the shank 13 of the sole 12 may be maintained in a position which is most natural to the conformation of a normal arch. This arrangement will prevent the shank from breaking or sinking down under pressure or weight. will be restored to a natural condition, and if desired the shank may be adjusted to any desired height. The slots in the spring plates 15 and 16 permit the plates 15 and 16 to be adjusted backward or forward on the member 17 to bring them to the proper disposition.

I claim: p

1. The combination with the shank of the sole of a shoe, of a plurality of superposed arch supporting springs normally bowed, a

threaded member carried by the uppermost spring, said threaded member extending loosely through slots 1n the other springs and a hole in said shank, and a nut on said threaded member on the outside of said shank and engageable therewith.

2. The combination with the shank of the sole of a shoe, of flexible arch supporting means normally bowed and arranged on the inside of the shoe with the opposite ends.

3. The combination with the shank of the The arch of the foot of the wearer The member 17 may be sei sole of a shoe, oi flexible flle'll supporting means normally bowed and arranged on the inside of the shoe With the opposite ends thereof respectively in Contact WithlIGQl' and sole portions of the shoe, said arch supporting means consisting of a plurality of superposed spring plates, and. means connected.

clownwardly. v

. THOMAS H. JOYCE. 

